300D...WOW thanks for all the info...everything you mentioned works presently.
--- In diesel_mercedes@yahoogroups.com, audiolaw@... wrote:
>
> You haven't identified the model that you are looking at. Is it a 300SD,
> 300TD or 300D or 300CD?
>
> A 300SD is the large, "S-Klasse" four door sedan. A 300TD is a
> station wagon of the midsize (currently "E-Klasse") range. A 300D is the midsize
> four door sedan. A 300CD is the two door "sports coupe" of the midsize
> line.
>
> The midsize cars in this line are all built on the 123 basic unibody
> model. The 300SD is on the 126 unibody that was also the 420SE, 500 and 560
> SE (and in Europe, the 300 and 380 SE), gas powered cars.
>
> Which one you are considering will make a big difference in ease of
> maintenance and finding parts.
>
> It may be counter intuitive, but the large 300SD is more fuel
> efficient than the smaller 300D, TD and CD, because the 126 was among the first
> cars with real wind tunnel research in its design, and it used aluminum for
> things like the hood and deck lid, to lower weight.
>
> $5,500 is probably a good price for a no rust, low mileage version of
> any of these cars. BUT, BUT, BUT, it is very important to remember that
> the most expensive car you will ever own is a "cheap" Mercedes.
>
> These cars can last essentially forever. But the work on them can be
> expensive and the parts are, well, Mercedes-priced.
>
> When you're reading posts on this forum, you are mostly talking to
> people who get a lot of their parts in pick-a-part yards, and do the work
> themselves. If you can do that, then the car can be a daily driver for you,
> your children, your grandchildren, and then some. If you can't do the work,
> but have a good mechanic who can (and will) the same longevity is
> obtainable, but at MUCH higher cost.
>
> Look at the HVAC system. Does the AC blow cold? Does the cruise
> control work (very likely not).
>
> When you turn the driver's side door key, do the locks on ALL the
> doors go up? (These cars have a vacuum pump on the engine (and the 300SD has
> another on in the trunk. Mercedes loves to run things, from the door locks
> to the transmission shifting, with vacuum. The vacuum lines are reliable,
> but the little flexible rubber bits that join sections of vacuum lines and
> vacuum lines to activating parts wear and leak and cause nightmares.
>
> Run the sunroof open and closed a few times. Is it stiff, jerky,
> frozen? This is not terrible to fix, but again, if you do it, you save bundles
> of money. (I'm in So. Cal. and very sunburn prone. I can't remember the
> last time I had my sunroof open.)
>
> The sunroof and the HVAC system have drain hoses that can get plugged.
> ALSO, under the hood hinges, back by the firewall, there is a deep pocket
> on each side. These have drain holes at the bottom, but they fill up with
> leaves and stuff. If they are not cleaned out, they are natural breeding
> spots for rust.
>
> Has anyone told you that the hood on this car will stand straight up,
> 90 degrees from the road surface? It takes playing with the latch at the
> hinge points (on both sides), but it makes service work MUCH easier.
>
> REMEMBER, if you're not going to do-it-yourself, this could be an
> expensive car to own.
>
> Tom, '81 300SD, 354,3++ miles.
>
>
> I think that in 1985 you're still looking at the iron head, 5 cylinder
> engine. This need a valve adjustment every now and again. You do this by
> yourself, in your own driveway, at no cost except the 30 minutes involved
> and the extensive post-job treatment with hand cleaner. Otherwise, you
> either pay a mechanic a small fortune to do it or you let the engine run rough
> and try to destroy itself.
>
> 120,000 miles is nothing on this engine. Anticipate a good one
> running over 300,000 without much cost (but do give it regular filter changes,
> oil changes and valve adjustments). Use only synthetic motor oil. Flush the
> cooling system.
>
> The dash lights will be dim. Live with it or try an LED upgrade
> (information all over the web).
>
>
>
> In a message dated 12/15/2011 12:37:35 P.M. Pacific Standard Time,
> rwillman18@... writes:
>
>
>
>
> I am contemplating the purchase of a 1985 turbo diesel with 120,000 miles.
> The car is tip top…no rust, and aside from a few chips in the paint a great
> looking car. I am in Wisconsin and I want to know if 5500.00 is a fair
> price and can I use it as a daily driver? What should I be looking at on this
> car? Thank for the help!!
>
